Sheffield Central Library
| Sheffield Central Library | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Sheffield |
| Country |
 England |
| Completed | 1934 |
| Client | Sheffield Corporation |
Sheffield Central Library and Graves Art Gallery is a public library in Sheffield. It houses the city library service's single largest general lending and reference collection, as well as hosting an art gallery on the third floor, and a theatre in the basement.
Services available from the building include:
- Arts, Social Science and Sports Library
- Business, Science and Technology Library
- Central Children's Library
- Local Studies Library
- Music and Video Library
- Sheffield Information Service
- Sports Library
- World Metal Index
- Graves Art Gallery
- Library Theatre
Work on the building began in 1929, to a design by W. G. Davies. Built in a broadly art-deco style, it was opened in 1934 by the Duchess of York. Conceived as part of a plan by Patrick Abercrombie to create a civic square, it was the only element ever built and so faces onto a narrow street. In 1991, Tudor Square was constructed to one side of the library.
The building, supported by a steel frame, is faced with Portland stone and has some decorative mouldings by Alfred and William Tory.
The Graves Art Gallery was founded around a bequest from J. G. Graves and hosts a range of temporary and permanent exhibitions.
References
- Ruth Harman and John Minnis, Sheffield (Pevsner Architectural Guides)
External links
Coordinates: 53°22′48″N 1°28′01″W / 53.380°N 1.467°W